Thank you! Your continued support, encouragement, and hard work ensured we won this race for Assembly District 51!

In particular, I want to thank our dedicated campaign team and all of our volunteers and supporters, from working men and women in the labor movement, to organizations dedicated to protecting our most vulnerable communities, including immigrants, women, the elderly, those with disabilities, communities of color and our LGBTQ brothers and sisters. They worked tirelessly to ensure this victory, and I am truly honored to have had their support, faith, and friendship.

But our work is simply beginning.

We need to continue standing together to protect our shared progressive values from the unprecedented attacks being levied by the Trump Administration. In the Assembly, I’ll stand up for women’s rights, improved access to quality healthcare while working toward universal healthcare, work to ensure our students can get a quality education, will fight to deliver high-wage jobs and continue to be an advocate for affordable housing.

There are critical issues ahead, and I’m looking forward to getting to Sacramento, rolling up my sleeves, and working hard to deliver for our district and our state.

Democratic labor activist Wendy Carrillo won a special election in Los Angeles on Tuesday night and will serve out the term of former assemblyman Jimmy Gomez, who was elected to Congress in a special election earlier this year.

Carrillo’s opponent, fellow Democrat Luis López, called her to concede late Tuesday evening as Carrillo led López 52.83% to 47.17% with a 943-vote margin.

Tuesday’s vote is the last in a series of four special elections that have reshuffled the political landscape in a section of Los Angeles stretching from Silver Lake to Eagle Rock and East Los Angeles.

The string of elections was triggered when Barbara Boxer announced her retirement from the U.S. Senate more than two years ago. Kamala Harris won Boxer’s seat, and Los Angeles Rep. Xavier Becerra was appointed to fill out Harris’ term as state attorney general. Gomez beat out a large field of candidates to succeed Becerra, a 24-year House veteran, and in July he began work in Washington.

Carrillo will take over for Gomez in the Assembly when lawmakers return to the Capitol in January to begin the second year of a two-year legislative session.

Carrillo, a former local radio host and communications manager for a Service Employees International Union affiliate, counted on her personal history — she was brought to the U.S. from El Salvador when she was a child, became a citizen in her early 20s and went on to graduate from Cal State L.A. and earn a master’s degree at USC — to resonate in the district, home to a large Latino population.

At an election night party at an East Los Angeles restaurant, Carrillo told a crowd of students, activists and political leaders including California Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de León that her win would send a message to other candidates from nontraditional backgrounds that transitioning into politics and winning elections is possible.

“You don’t need to wait to get tapped on the shoulder for someone to tell you it’s your turn,” she said. “You have to fight.”

Wendy Carrillo’s campaign for Assembly District 51 announced today that the California Labor Federation has endorsed Carrillo’s candidacy for State Assembly.

In announcing their endorsement of Wendy Carrillo for Assembly, Art Pulaski, Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO said: “Wendy Carrillo has been a steadfast advocate for working men and women her entire life, standing up with courage and conviction for fair wages, better working conditions, and the right of workers to have a seat at the table where decisions are made affecting their lives. As an Assemblymember, Wendy will be a leader in the fight to protect working people throughout California, and will work to deliver good jobs, affordable housing and retirement security.”

The California Labor Federation is dedicated to promoting and defending the rights of working people and their families, and is comprised of 1,200 affiliated unions that help working people build better lives and futures for all Californians.

Wendy Carrillo said: “I am truly honored to receive the strong support of the California Labor Federation, one of our state’s greatest champions for working people and their families. In the Assembly, I will fight to protect the rights of California’s working men and women, standing up for high-wage jobs, retirement security and affordable housing. I am looking forward to continuing to work with the Labor Fed and its members in ensuring California becomes an even greater place to live, work, and raise our families.”

The California Labor Federation’s endorsement comes on the heels of a wave of major endorsements for Carrillo’s campaign. In recent weeks, AFSCME California, Congressman Jimmy Gomez, State Assembly Majority Leader Ian Calderon and Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda Solis have all come out in strong support of Carrillo, who is poised for victory on December 5.

Wendy Carrillo’s campaign for Assembly District 51 announced today that AFSCME California, which represents working men and women in the healthcare, corrections, childcare and other industries, has endorsed Carrillo’s candidacy for State Assembly.

“AFSCME California is proud to endorse Wendy Carrillo for State Assembly,” said Brian Allison, Political and Legislative Director of AFSCME California. “Wendy is a true progressive champion for California’s working men and women. She has been a tireless advocate for fair wages, retirement security and the rights of workers to have the freedom to have a “seat at the table” on matters that impact them in the workplace. At a time when anti-worker forces are looking to take away the rights of American workers, we know that Wendy will be a strong and steady voice for high-wage jobs, and will fight to make the middle class more accessible and the American Dream a reality for all Californians. Wendy Carrillo is the best choice to represent working families in the State Assembly.”

AFSCME California’s members share a common commitment to public service, advocating for the vital services that keep our families safe and make our communities strong. They have been at the forefront of California’s landmark policy battles, standing up for working men and women throughout the State.

“I am honored to receive the support of AFSCME California, one of our state’s greatest advocates for economic opportunity, prosperity and social justice,” said Carrillo. “In the Assembly, I will stand up for the rights of all working people, fighting to ensure greater access to the middle class. I will never stop fighting for all Californians to have a voice in our political system.”

AFSCME California’s endorsement comes on the heels of a wave of support for Carrillo. In recent weeks, Carrillo has earned the strong support of Congressman Jimmy Gomez, Assembly Majority Leader Ian Calderon and LA County Supervisor Hilda Solis. Carrillo is the only candidate in the race for AD 51 to be endorsed by the California Democratic Party.

Wendy Carrillo’s campaign for Assembly District 51 announced today that the California League of Conservation Voters (CLCV) has endorsed her candidacy for AD 51.

In endorsing Carrillo, CLCV Political Director James Johnson said: “Wendy has been a champion for environmental justice throughout her life, and has been a key ally in the fight against climate change. She is a true progressive, having stood on the frontlines with the Standing Rock Sioux tribe in North Dakota against injustice and defending our right to clean air and water, a safer climate and a brighter future for all Californians. We are proud to endorse Wendy Carrillo for State Assembly and know she will be an environment leader in the Legislature.”

From fighting climate change, to improving air quality and advancing the cause of environmental justice, CLCV is dedicated to protecting and enhancing the environment and health of all California communities by electing environmental champions to the Legislature.

“I am honored to receive the support of the California League of Conservation Voters,” said Carrillo. “I believe climate change is the most critical existential threat humanity faces, and that environmental justice should be a top priority for AD 51’s next Assemblymember. I am looking forward to continuing to work with CLCV as we fight to ensure future generations inherit a planet that is healthier, safer and more vibrant than ever.”

With the General Election just over two weeks away, Carrillo has continued to rack up endorsements from civic, community and education leaders and is poised for victory on December 5th. CLCV joins Congressman Jimmy Gomez, labor leader and civil rights pioneer Dolores Huerta, and over half the Board of the LA Community College District Board of Trustees including Board President Sydney Kamlager in throwing their support behind Carrillo.

“I am excited to support Wendy Carrillo for Assembly,” said Majority Leader Calderon. “Wendy is a true progressive, having fought to protect immigrants, communities of color, and working men and women throughout our state. In the Assembly, Wendy will be a tireless champion for our children and families, making access to affordable housing, quality healthcare and education top priorities. I’m looking forward to continuing to work with Wendy as we fight to protect those shared progressive values that have made California a beacon of hope, security and prosperity for working people throughout our nation.”

In March 2016, Assemblymember Calderon became the youngest Majority Leader in California’s history. Majority Leader Calderon has been a key leader in passing some of the State’s most notable progressive policies, including raising the minimum wage and fighting climate change.

“I am honored to have earned the strong support of Majority Leader Calderon,” said Carrillo. “Majority Leader Calderon and I share a deep commitment to advancing the issues that positively impact the health, safety and security of California’s families and children. With the Trump Administration threatening nearly every aspect of our daily lives by declaring war on fair wages, reproductive healthcare, quality education and more, we need to continue standing up for all Californians against these attacks on our shared progressive values. In the Assembly, I look forward to continuing to partner with Majority Leader Calderon to protect and expand upon our state’s landmark progressive achievements.”

Over half of the nation’s largest community college district Board stands with Carrillo, praising her record of advancing educational opportunity for all students

Sydney Kamlager, President, LACCD Board of Trustees

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASENovember 15, 2017

Contact: Lisa Gasperoni
lisa@lgcampaigns.com
(916) 803-0433

Momentum to elect Wendy Carrillo to the State Assembly continues to build, with over half of the Board of Trustees of the Los Angeles Community College District throwing their support behind Wendy Carrillo for Assembly District 51. LACCD is the largest community college district in the nation, serving more than 250,000 students every year across a district that spans nearly 900 square miles.

“I am proud to support Wendy Carrillo for State Assembly,” said Sydney Kamlager, President of the LACCD Board of Trustees. “Wendy will be a true champion for educational opportunity, fighting so all students have access to a quality education. Wendy will stand up for science, technology, engineering and math programs for all students, including our young girls and communities of color. From pre-K, to higher education to workforce training, Wendy will be a leader in ensuring our state invests in our students so they can be competitive in today’s global economy. Educators, students and families need Wendy Carrillo fighting for all of us in Sacramento.”

In her first year on the board, Ms. Kamlager was instrumental in expanding opportunities for local, small and diverse firms to access the district, establishing a pipeline between the district and the courts system, optimizing supportive services for students who were formerly in the foster care system and students who were formerly incarcerated. Ms. Kamlager also helped restore funding to the district’s African American Outreach Initiative.

Ms. Kamlager is joined by the following LACCD Trustees in supporting Carrillo’s election to AD 51:

Gabriel Buelna, Ph.D. (Seat 6)

Mike Fong (Seat 7, and former AD 51 Primary Candidate)

Scott J. Svonkin (Seat 5)

Steven F. Veres (Seat 2)

Trustee Fong, who previously ran in the Primary for AD 51, said: “I am supporting Wendy Carrillo for State Assembly. As a graduate of community college herself, Wendy understands the value of a good education and will be a key ally in the fight to ensure college is affordable for all students, and not a burdensome debt sentence. She’ll fight to improve access to science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) programs, and will make workforce training a top priority so all students can be competitive in today’s global economy. Wendy will be a champion for all students regardless of race, ethnicity or legal status and I’m proud to support her to ensure we make college access a priority in the State Assembly.”

Wendy Carrillo said: “It is an honor to receive the strong support of such dedicated education leaders like President Kamlager and Trustees Buelna, Fong, Svonkin and Veres. Not only do I share these leaders’ belief in the value of education and the positive impact it can have on our children’s future, as a formerly undocumented student I know firsthand that achieving the American Dream depends on receiving a quality education. In the Assembly, I will continue fighting to improve access to quality, affordable education for all students.”

Community, civic and education leaders continue to rally behind Carrillo, who has emerged as the clear choice for Assembly. Carrillo has earned the strong support of Congressman Jimmy Gomez, Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard, LA County Supervisor Hilda Solis, and is the only candidate endorsed by the California Democratic Party.